In a video announcement to more than 79,000 students at nearly 120 schools this morning, Anne Arundel County Public Schools launched a countywide campaign to encourage more students to eat school breakfast. In response to the statewide Breakfast Challenge kickoff today, students across the county were implored by Superintendent George Arlotto and students from North County High School, Brooklyn Park Middle School, and Hilltop Elementary School to start each day with a healthy school breakfast – and possibly win prizes in the process.
Under the Governor’s initiative to end childhood hunger, the 2014 Maryland School Breakfast Challenge has brought together the No Kid Hungry campaign, the Maryland State Department of Education, Action for Healthy Kids, Family League of Baltimore, Maryland Hunger Solutions, Maryland State Education Association, and the Mid-Atlantic Dairy Association to reward schools and school districts that increase breakfast consumption by at least 10,000 students.
Research indicates that school breakfast can have a significant impact on student achievement, especially in mathematics. Additionally, children who eat a healthy school breakfast more consistently attend school and are more likely to graduate.
Anne Arundel County Public Schools serves more than 2.8 million breakfast meals. Through traditional service, AACPS offers healthy breakfast options that include whole grain items, fresh fruit, 100% fruit juice, and milk – all for $1.50 per meal.
At 44 schools, students enjoy free breakfast meals daily through the Maryland Meals for Achievement initiative.
To learn more about supporting your child and his or her school, visit MarylandBreakfastChallenge.org.